Lloyd Hara for King County Assessor

Thanks for your help, from King County Assessor Hara

King County Assessor Lloyd Hara sworn in by Judge Harry McCarthy

I want to thank the hundreds of you who supported this campaign, and the thousands of you who voted for experienced, proven leadership. I will do all in my powers not to disappoint you.

It has been a year of turmoil, tragedy and change for the office of King County Assessor, and the voters of King County have now decided on new leadership.

I am humbled by their decision, and I take with the utmost seriousness their call to serve the people of this great County.

Our work begins today – work to restore public trust, to tap skills of those in and out of the office and to bring renewed accountability to improve the office’s performance for all.

King County voters have chosen the first outsider since 1992 to lead the Department of Assessments. My team must find ways to better performance during years of distressed budgets and unstable markets, while our taxpayers struggle with budget hardships of their own.

We must improve communications.  I tried to return a phone call from the Department recently, and was repeatedly left hanging in dead air.

When we open lines of communication between the Department and the public, and within the Department itself, we will unlock a wealth of useful ideas from staff and former staff, outside experts and the public at large.

The Department is a storehouse of talent and experience.  In a culture of transparency and trust, every employee can contribute his or her very best.

Our community is a breeding ground of innovation in “knowledge work”.  Transparency and trust will open the door to valuable suggestions and healthy criticism from citizens who know what they’re doing, and can see what we’re doing.

We want to give each taxpayer the best shot at working with us toward that agreeable “fair shake” we all aim to deliver.

Today’s swearing-in marks a major milestone in the transition, and I continue gathering advice from experienced hands in and out of the office.  There is hard work ahead, and the results will be all the more satisfying for the challenges we overcome.

Thanks again,

King County Assessor Lloyd Hara

November 24, 2009